2020 Jeep Wrangler vs 2021 Lexus NX

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler was instantly recognizable on the road with its circular headlights, seven-slat grille, and boxy styling. Its industrial look was accentuated by exposed hinges and bolts, and the removable top added to its rugged persona. Inside, the Wrangler's cabin maintained a retro look with circular climate vents and gauges, emphasizing utility over luxury. The various trims, from the basic Sport to the off-road king Rubicon, offered different levels of comfort and technology, but all retained the Wrangler's rugged charm.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus NX carried the brand's familial design with sharp lines and a sculpted exterior, making it look like a smaller version of the RX. The NX F Sport variant added sporty elements like a honeycomb grille and 18-inch wheels. Inside, the NX featured quilted NuLuxe sport seats and a choice of interior color schemes. The fit and finish were excellent, with a gauge cluster familiar to Lexus drivers. However, the center stack design appeared outdated compared to newer competitors.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited offered a base 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic transmission. A turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque was also available. The new 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel engine delivered 260 hp and an impressive 442 lb-ft of torque, making it ideal for off-road adventures. Despite its off-road prowess, the Wrangler's on-road performance was noisy and less comfortable compared to car-based SUVs. Fuel economy for the diesel engine was 22 mpg city, 29 highway, and 25 combined.

The 2021 Lexus NX 300 and 300 F Sport were powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The NX accelerated from zero to 60 mph in around seven seconds. While the powertrain could get noisy under hard acceleration, the ride was generally quiet. The NX offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available. Fuel economy for the FWD model was 22 mpg city, 28 highway, and 25 combined, while the AWD model had similar figures but slightly lower combined mileage at 24 mpg.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler was available in two-door and four-door Unlimited versions. The four-door model, which was more popular, featured removable doors, a fold-down windshield, and a droppable roof. The base soft top could retract partially or fully, while the hardtop offered more protection. The Wrangler Unlimited provided about 72 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear bench lowered, less than other less-capable SUVs like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.

The 2021 Lexus NX had an upscale interior with comfortable front seats and adequate legroom in the second row. Heated and ventilated seats were available, and the rear seats offered a 60/40 split-folding option. The NX's cargo space was limited, with 17.7 cubic feet behind the second row and 54.6 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The NX featured a power liftgate with kick sensor technology and optional power-folding rear seats.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler's Sport and Sport S trims came with a basic 5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth and USB connectivity. The Rubicon and Sahara trims featured a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, available as an option on the Sport S. An 8.4-inch Uconnect system with navigation, HD Radio, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was available on the Sahara and Rubicon. The Alpine premium audio system provided excellent sound quality even at highway speeds.

The 2021 Lexus NX featured an 8-inch touchscreen as standard, with a 10.3-inch screen available in the Navigation package. The infotainment system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and HomeLink. The Navigation package added Lexus Enform Destination Assist and other features. Standard technology included keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth, a USB port, HD Radio, and a WiFi hotspot. The Lexus Premium Audio system was standard, with an optional Mark Levinson 14-speaker system available.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler came with standard safety features like airbags, electronic roll mitigation, and a backup camera. Optional safety packages included rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, adaptive cruise control, and full-speed forward-collision warning.

The 2021 Lexus NX included Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 as standard, featuring a rearview camera, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, traffic-sign recognition, automatic high beams, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. Optional safety features included park assist, a surround-view camera system, and adaptive headlights. The NX received top safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA.